Page 156 of Moon Craving

Abigail flinched, not sure if he meant Sybil or her.

"I told you I would not apologize for saying such. Your mother has stone for a

heart."

"Only when it comes to me."

"Why?"

"Why do you think?"

"If I knew I would not ask."

"Because I am damaged. There is no place for me in her life." Just as Talorc had

said there was no place for Abigail among his clan now.

Even now, hours later, those words sliced through her like a dagger.

He said a word she did not know. She didn't ask him to translate because she was

fairly certain she didn't want to know it either.

"If your plan was to get me to bring you to the Highlands and then reject you for

your weakness so I would send you to live with your sister--which was a hopelessly

flawed plan, by the by--why did you not tell me the truth once we reached my fortress?"

This discussion had gone better than she could have hoped and the fact that he

was still asking questions gave Abigail a sliver of hope. Just enough to prick at her

though, not enough to truly lift her spirits. "By the time we had reached the Sinclair

holding, I knew I did not want to leave you."

"You continued to deceive me with the hopes of staying with me?" he asked as if to

clarify. "You were so certain that revealing your secret would result in my rejection of

you?"

"Yes." To both.

He did not react to that admission in any way.

When the silence between them had stretched the point of pain, she asked, "What

will you do with me now?"

"Are you still hoping to be sent to live among the Balmoral?"

"No." Hadn't she just confirmed she wanted to stay with him?

He looked at her with bad-tempered demand.

If he wanted it spelled out, then spell it out she would. "I want to stay here, as your